Manchester, Oct 23 (IANS): Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has called for a change in the hectic nature of the English Premier league (EPL) schedule.

The Dutchman, who has criticised the EPL schedule in the past, asserted that the lack of a winter break is hurting the prospects of English clubs in European competitions as well as the performance of the national team.

"There is also no winter break and I think that is the most evil thing of this culture. It is not good for English football. It is not good for the clubs or the national team. I think you should change it," van Gaal was quoted as saying by the Daily Star on Friday.

"England haven't won anything for how many years? It is because all the players are exhausted at the end of the season."

The 64-year-old also insisted that the improving level of competition in the EPL and the subsequent toll on the players means that United will find it harder to repeat the feat of winning their domestic title and the Champions League in the same season which they accomplished in 1999 and 2008.

"It is harder these days. The Premier League is the most difficult league to win because of the high level of the teams. You cannot beat any team easily," he said.

"Every team is a challenge. It is a rat race and then you have to play also in the Champions League. It is not so easy and that is why English teams over the last few years have not won the Champions League because of the difference in the leagues."